Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors provide information and guidance to individuals and families with histories of birth defects or familial genetic disorders, and to families who may be at risk for a variety of other reasons. Individuals and couples who may benefit from genetic counseling include those with a family history of miscarriages; women 34 years of age and older who are pregnant or are planning a family; and persons or families affected with mental retardation, birth defects, cancer, conditions such as blindness, deafness, etc., or other conditions which could be inherited. Genetic counselors usually work as part of a health care team, helping to identify families at risk, investigating the problem present in the family, assessing inheritance patterns and their risk of recurrence, explaining the problem to the family as well as reproductive options available to them.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Most genetic counselors work in a university teaching hospital, in research or in a private hospital.

HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION
General college preparation is recommended: Three courses in math including algebra I, algebra II and geometry, or a higher level math course for which algebra II is a prerequisite; three science courses including one biological science, one physical science and one lab course; four English units and two social studies units, including one in U.S. History; and two years of foreign language.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of a master’s degree in genetic counseling (or in a closely related field of study) is required. To be certified as a genetic counselor, the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) requires training at an accredited site, documentation of genetic counseling experience, evidence of continuing education and the successful completion of a comprehensive ABGC certification examination.

AVERAGE STARTING SALARY
$27,400 - $31,500.